Fantasy Football: On the Rise

In this Aug. 22, 2010, file photo, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) drops back during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco. When Favre arrived in the Twin Cities last August, the Vikings called him "a decent piece" to a talent-rich roster that they felt was Super Bowl worthy with or without him. It was a staggeringly understated way to refer to a three-time MVP who owns every passing record worth having and one _ interceptions _ that isn't. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)

Welcome to the first installment of the Long Island Press’ Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet. With the NFL season set to kickoff Thursday night in an NFC Championship rematch between Favre and the Vikings and defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints comes the start of the 2010 Fantasy Football season. By now, you’ve drafted your team, scouted the competition, bought the chips and dip and are ready to dominate the competition in 2010. In this season premiere of the Press’ Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet, we’ll take a look at players whose stock is rising and could help give you the advantage in Week 1 and beyond.

In this Aug. 22, 2010, file photo, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) drops back during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco. When Favre arrived in the Twin Cities last August, the Vikings called him "a decent piece" to a talent-rich roster that they felt was Super Bowl worthy with or without him. It was a staggeringly understated way to refer to a three-time MVP who owns every passing record worth having and one _ interceptions _ that isn't. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)

Percentage of players available taken from Yahoo! Fantasy Football leagues

Mike Williams (SEA-WR)-22 percent owned:With former USC Trojans Head Coach Pete Carroll at the helm, the Seattle Seahawks are beginning to look like the U-S-C Hawks these days. With T.J. Houshmandzadeh being cut and then signing with the Baltimore Ravens, the Seahawks have put their trust in former USC standout wideout, Mike Williams. With Housh in Baltimore, Carroll’s fondness for his former player spells big things in 2010 for the meagerly owned WR. At 6’5”, 235, Williams is a big target for QB Matt Hasselbeck, and at 24 years old, Williams could finally be reaching his potential. Time to cash in is right now.LIP’s Prediction: 67 receptions, 1,047 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns
Week 1 Opponent: vs. San Francisco

Mike Williams (TB-WR) – 33 percent owned:No, rest assured this isn’t a misprint, another wide receiver named Mike Williams is well worth your time in the 2010 season. Mike Williams of Tampa Bay is part of an offense that will be forced to throw the ball and Tampa Bay’s dismay will be your treasure. Williams, 4th round draft pick from Syracuse, displays an impressive skill set and because of the circumstances in Tampa Bay, could be a valuable asset as owners look to bolster their WR slots heading into the season.LIP’s Prediction: 64 receptions, 970 yards,
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Cleveland

Kyle Orton (DEN-QB)- 53 percent owned:
Should Kyle Orton enter the season as your starting QB? Most certainly not. While Orton isn’t the quintessential QB for the 2010 season, he can be most useful as a backup and his immediate schedule should provide big returns early on. Despite trading Brandon Marshall, Orton has shined in the preseason, going 33-for-49 with four TDs and two interceptions. Orton’s strong play dispelled talk that Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn could get time under center for the Broncos. Three of the Broncos first four games come against passing defenses that ranked 27th (Week 1 at JAX), 30th (Week 2 vs. SEA) and 31st (Week 4 @ TEN) in 2009. While preseason and last year’s stats should be taken with caution, Orton is still poised to be a respectable backup QB option in 2010.LIP’s prediction: 3,500 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions
Week 1 opponent: vs. Jacksonville

FacebookTwitterE-mail At age 83, Edith Windsor gets plenty of compliments for her courage to take on the federal government in a landmark case that has put attitudes about gay America squarely before the Supreme Court. But the Philadelphia-born former IBM [...]

FacebookTwitterE-mail Gov. Andrew Cuomo spent most of 2012 in what can often be a shaky second act for politicians following rave reviews of his first year — he was searching for the next big thing. It turns out, the next big thing found him: Superstorm [...]

FacebookTwitterE-mail Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is under observation at a New York hospital after being treated for a blood clot stemming from the concussion she sustained earlier this month. Clinton’s doctors discovered the clot [...]